Louise le Bagousse 1741-1806
Chouan crest 'For God and King'
The life of Louise le Bagousse, mother of Bonaventure Marie Rohu and of his more famous brother Jean Rohu, a Chouan leader – was an outstanding example of notable sufferings.
Louise le Bagousse was 16 years old when she left her native Erdeven to marry, at Plouharnel, Jules Joseph Rohu who was double her age. At 17, she gave birth to Vincent Michel, her eldest, then Bonaventure, Jeanne Armelle, Louise and Michel Thomas whom she tragically lost as infants, then Jules Marie and lastly, Jean who was to take first place in the family. She was awaiting the birth of another, her 8th child, Joseph, who was born several months later, when she lost her husband by drowning at sea. She was 31 when that took place. She was to be a widow for 33 years.
One should admire her dignity and courage, giving a good education to her sons Vincent Michel and Bonaventure who became captains of coastal vessels, and Jean, who she sent to the college of St.Yves at Vannes, where he was a fellow student with Georges Cadoudal of Chouan fame.
1789-1791 were terrible years for Louise. Misfortune followed her. She was in great anxiety for Vincent Michel who was smuggling refractory priests to the Isle d’Houat and to Spain on his chasse-marée, taking with him her youngest son, Jean. In 1795, Jean, with his mother’s consent, joined Cadoudal in the Chouannerie. Then, in 1795, came the invasion of Quiberon by the Royalist emigrés, aided by the British fleet, her sons Vincent Michel, Bonaventure, Jean, Jules Marie and Joseph were all awaiting the Emigré landing with thousands of other Chouans. Bonaventure was to leave her for England and never returned. Jules Marie, parish captain of Erdeven was killed at Kergoat by the Blues later in 1795.
Vincent Michel went to England from whence he returned in 1804, was recognised, arrested and died in the prison of St. Brieuc. Joseph also was parted from her and did not return to France until the Restoration, long after the death of his mother.
Jean was compromised by his part in the affair at Quiberon. To avoid reprisals, Louise had to do something. Her sister, Veronique Rohu managed to escape being burned alive in her home in Plouharnel by the Blues. Louise and her daughter were obliged to flee under an assumed name in various villages. It was at St. Sauveur in Erdeven with the family Le Lamer that they stayed for a long while. The orphaned children of Vincent Michel, a boy and two girls, were with her. As well as all that, Louise was in constant fear for her son Jean who alone visted her from time to time as often as fighting permitted.
One has to think that in 1806, when Louise returned to God aged 64, this courageous woman had exhausted all her tears.
Louise Le Bagousse is the heroine of a Breton lament which can be read in French here.
Louise le Bagousse was 16 years old when she left her native Erdeven to marry, at Plouharnel, Jules Joseph Rohu who was double her age. At 17, she gave birth to Vincent Michel, her eldest, then Bonaventure, Jeanne Armelle, Louise and Michel Thomas whom she tragically lost as infants, then Jules Marie and lastly, Jean who was to take first place in the family. She was awaiting the birth of another, her 8th child, Joseph, who was born several months later, when she lost her husband by drowning at sea. She was 31 when that took place. She was to be a widow for 33 years.
One should admire her dignity and courage, giving a good education to her sons Vincent Michel and Bonaventure who became captains of coastal vessels, and Jean, who she sent to the college of St.Yves at Vannes, where he was a fellow student with Georges Cadoudal of Chouan fame.
1789-1791 were terrible years for Louise. Misfortune followed her. She was in great anxiety for Vincent Michel who was smuggling refractory priests to the Isle d’Houat and to Spain on his chasse-marée, taking with him her youngest son, Jean. In 1795, Jean, with his mother’s consent, joined Cadoudal in the Chouannerie. Then, in 1795, came the invasion of Quiberon by the Royalist emigrés, aided by the British fleet, her sons Vincent Michel, Bonaventure, Jean, Jules Marie and Joseph were all awaiting the Emigré landing with thousands of other Chouans. Bonaventure was to leave her for England and never returned. Jules Marie, parish captain of Erdeven was killed at Kergoat by the Blues later in 1795.
Vincent Michel went to England from whence he returned in 1804, was recognised, arrested and died in the prison of St. Brieuc. Joseph also was parted from her and did not return to France until the Restoration, long after the death of his mother.
Jean was compromised by his part in the affair at Quiberon. To avoid reprisals, Louise had to do something. Her sister, Veronique Rohu managed to escape being burned alive in her home in Plouharnel by the Blues. Louise and her daughter were obliged to flee under an assumed name in various villages. It was at St. Sauveur in Erdeven with the family Le Lamer that they stayed for a long while. The orphaned children of Vincent Michel, a boy and two girls, were with her. As well as all that, Louise was in constant fear for her son Jean who alone visted her from time to time as often as fighting permitted.
One has to think that in 1806, when Louise returned to God aged 64, this courageous woman had exhausted all her tears.
Louise Le Bagousse is the heroine of a Breton lament which can be read in French here.